Deck railing countertop system

ABSTRACT

A deck rail countertop system adapted to attach to a railing of a deck or balcony. The system includes a plurality of mounting brackets and a countertop. Each mounting bracket includes a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interface portion. The deck railing interface portion defines structure for receiving and coupling to a component of the railing. The countertop and countertop interface portion of each mounting bracket have cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the length of the countertop.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/946,614, entitled DECK RAILING COUNTERTOP SYSTEM, filed Jun. 27,2007, hereby fully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to outdoor deck accessories, and moreparticularly, to a deck railing countertop system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many residential structures such as single-family homes, townhouses,apartment buildings, and other such residences, include an attachedoutdoor deck. A basic deck built to typical local standards minimallyincludes a deck platform and a railing system. Most deck platformsinclude a series of adjacent treads, or decking, with an understructureto support the platform. A typical railing system includes a series ofsupport posts attached to the deck platform, a hand rail, and supportingintermediate posts. The railing system safely keeps occupants andbelongings from falling off the deck platform.

For many homeowners, the outdoor space provided by a deck becomes anintegral part of their home, and they often place items such as tables,chairs, grills, decorative items, and so on, onto the deck platform fortheir use and enjoyment. All too often, though, the usable area of adeck platform may not comfortably accommodate multiple pieces offurniture, let alone leave room for social gatherings. The result may bethat a homeowner compromises by limiting the number of items placed ontothe deck platform. This may mean that space-consuming tables may besacrificed in order to make room for higher priority items such aschairs or grills.

If a homeowner desires table-like surfaces, options include building alarger deck, bringing a table onto, and off of the deck platform asneeded, and so on. For many, the option of a larger deck may beexpensive, impractical, or impossible. Regarding the use of a temporarytable, lack of storage space and general inconvenience make this anon-ideal solution. Furthermore, tables placed upon a deck platform maybe blown about during storms, causing damage to the table itself, thedeck, or other items nearby. Therefore, a need exists for a system orapparatus that provides table-like surfaces for a deck, withoutsacrificing deck platform space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a deck rail countertopsystem that attaches to a deck railing system. The countertop systemincludes a mounting bracket, countertop, and fasteners. In oneembodiment, the mounting bracket is a T-shaped bracket that attaches tothe front side of a deck support post. In another embodiments, theT-shaped bracket attaches to the back side of a deck support post. Thecountertop provides a table-like surface and includes a recess andmatching slot for receiving the top portion of the mounting bracket.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a deck railcountertop system that attaches to a deck railing system, and includes amounting bracket that fits over the top of a support post. In thisembodiment, a countertop rests on a support portion of the mountingbracket and is secured to the bracket via fasteners. The mountingbracket is secured to the support post using fasteners. In a relatedembodiment, the mounting bracket is an E-shaped bracket that fits over ahand rail, rather than a post, and supports a countertop via a supportportion on the bracket.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a deck railcountertop system that attaches to a deck railing system via a snap-lockmounting bracket. The snap-lock mounting bracket includes a top bracketwith snap-lock tabs that fit into recesses located in the sides of thebottom bracket. The bottom bracket is attached directly to a supportpost or multiple intermediate posts. In one embodiment, the top bracketincludes a boss that fits into a recess in the countertop. The topbracket may be pressed into the countertop to create a press fit, orfriction fit, securely holding the assembly together.

Other embodiments include a variety of countertop mounting brackets,such as a T-shaped mounting bracket, an E-shaped hand rail mountingbracket, and a snap-lock mounting bracket.

In an embodiment, the present invention may also include a method forconnecting a countertop to a deck railing system that includes attachinga mounting bracket to a support post, sliding a countertop onto abracket top portion, and securing the countertop to the bracket.

Accordingly, a deck rail countertop system adapted to attach to arailing of a deck or balcony may generally include a plurality ofmounting brackets, each mounting bracket comprising a deck railinginterface portion and a countertop interface portion, the deck railinginterface portion defining structure for receiving and coupling to acomponent of the railing, and an elongate countertop. The countertoppresents a top surface, a bottom surface and a length dimension. Thecountertop and countertop interface portion of each mounting brackethave cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to thebottom surface of the countertop at a plurality of spaced apartlocations along the length dimension of the countertop.

In an embodiment, the deck railing interface portion of each mountingbracket includes an over-post portion defining a cavity, the cavitydimensioned so as to receive an end of a post of the railing therein.

In an embodiment, the deck railing interface portion includes a pair ofhorizontally oriented members, the members vertically spaced apart so asto define a slot therebetween adapted to receive a horizontal member ofthe railing.

In an embodiment, the deck railing interface portion includes a firstbody portion and the countertop interface portion includes a second bodyportion separate from the first body portion, the first body portion andsecond body portion each having cooperating structure for removablyoperably coupling the first body portion and the second body portion.

In an embodiment, the cooperating structure for removably coupling thefirst body portion and the second body portion includes at least oneselectively deflectable tab on one of the first body portion or thesecond body portion, and structure for receiving the selectivelydeflectable tab on the other of the first body portion or the secondbody portion. The structure for receiving the selectively deflectabletab may be an aperture.

In an embodiment, the cooperating structure for coupling the mountingbrackets to the bottom surface of the countertop includes an elongateslot defined in the bottom surface of the countertop, the elongate slotoriented along the length dimension of the countertop, and a t-shapedportion of the countertop interface portion adapted to be slidablyreceived in the elongate slot.

In an embodiment, the cooperating structure for coupling the mountingbrackets to the bottom surface of the countertop includes a plurality ofrecess arrays, each recess array comprising a plurality of recesses, therecess arrays defined at spaced apart locations in the bottom surface ofthe countertop, and each countertop interface portion includes aplurality of apertures corresponding to the recesses of the recessarray, the apertures of the mounting bracket disposed to be registerablewith the recesses of each of the plurality of recess arrays to receivefasteners for fastening the mounting bracket to the countertop.

In further embodiments, a deck system according to the inventionincludes a deck, a railing operably coupled with the deck, the railingcomprising a plurality of upright posts and a horizontal rail operablycoupling the upright posts, and a deck rail countertop system. The deckrail countertop system includes a plurality of mounting brackets, eachmounting bracket comprising a deck railing interface portion and acountertop interface portion, the deck railing interface portionoperably coupled to the railing, and an elongate countertop presenting atop surface, a bottom surface and a length dimension, the countertop andcountertop interface portion of each mounting bracket having cooperatingstructure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface ofthe countertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the lengthdimension of the countertop.

In other embodiments, a method of providing a deck rail countertopsystem adapted to attach to a railing of a deck or balcony includesproviding a plurality of mounting brackets, each mounting bracketincluding a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interfaceportion, the deck railing interface portion defining structure forreceiving and coupling to a component of the railing, providing anelongate countertop presenting a top surface, a bottom surface and alength dimension, the countertop and countertop interface portion ofeach mounting bracket having cooperating structure for coupling themounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop at a pluralityof spaced apart locations along the length dimension of the countertop,and providing instructions for attaching the mounting brackets to therailing and for attaching the countertop to the mounting brackets.

In an embodiment, the method may further include packaging the pluralityof mounting brackets and the countertop together in a kit.

In an embodiment, the method may further include packaging theinstructions with the kit.

In an embodiment, the method may further include recording theinstructions in a tangible medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a front-mount deck railcountertop system attached to a deck railing system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a front-post mountingbracket;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of afront-mount deck rail countertop system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a front-mount deckrail countertop system attached to a deck railing system;

FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of a rear-mount deck railcountertop system attached to a deck railing system;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of an over-postmounting bracket and deck railing system;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a hand-railmounting bracket as attached to a deck railing system hand rail;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a snap-lockmounting bracket;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a top bracket of asnap-lock mounting bracket;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembledsnap-lock mounting bracket;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deck railingcountertop system attached to a deck railing system by mounting to asupport post and a pair of intermediate posts; and

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of one embodiment of a deck railingcountertop system attached to a deck railing system by mounting to asupport post and a pair of intermediate posts.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a front-mount embodiment of the deck-railingcountertop system 20 is connected to a deck railing system 22 of deck24. In this embodiment, deck-railing countertop system 20 generallyincludes front-post mounting bracket 26, countertop 28, and fasteners 30(depicted in FIG. 4). Deck railing system 22 includes posts 32, handrail 34, and intermediate posts 36.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, front-post mounting bracket26 is a generally “T” shaped bracket, and includes a body portion 38 andhead portion 40. Front-post mounting bracket 26 and countertop 28 may bemade of any of a variety of materials including wood, plastic, aluminum,steel, fiberglass, composite materials, and other materials suitable foroutdoor use.

Head portion 40 generally includes front extension 42 with front end 44,rear extension 46 with rear end 48, top surface 50, front bottom surface52, rear bottom surface 54, and a plurality of optional holes 56. Thelengths of front extension 42 and rear extension 46 may be varied toaccommodate the dimensions of countertop 28, and to adjust the positionof countertop 28 in relation to deck 24 and hand rail 34. For example,in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, front extension 42 is slightlylonger than rear extension 46 such that rear end 48 is substantially inthe same plane as the outside of post 32. As depicted in FIG. 2, rearextension 46 may be slightly longer than front extension 42.

Still referring to FIG. 2, front end 44 includes a front surface 58,while rear end 48 includes a rear surface 60. In one embodiment,horizontal portion 40 is generally rectangular in shape and connectedto, or integral with, body portion 38. Front surface 58 and rear surface60 may be curved as depicted, but in other embodiments, may be flat,depending on countertop 28 characteristics. In one embodiment, holes 56extend through head portion 40 and are located at both front end 44 andrear end 48.

Body portion 38 includes a top end 62, bottom end 64, bottom side 66,rear side 68, a left side 70, right side 72, left-front edge 74,right-front edge 76, recess 78, and width W. In one embodiment, rearside 68 and bottom side 66 are generally flat, while left-front edge 74and right-front edge 76 are curved. Although not depicted, in oneembodiment, rear side 68 includes mounting holes 80. Recess 78 issubstantially defined by bottom side 66, rear side 68, left side 70,right side 72, and head portion 40.

Referring now to FIG. 3, countertop 28 generally includes a top side 80,bottom side 82, rear side 84, front side 86, recess 88, slot 90, andinner surface 92. Countertop 28 may also include an optional lip 94located at the corner of top side 80 and rear side 84. In oneembodiment, countertop 28 is a substantially rectangular shape, thoughcountertop 28 may be square, curved, or otherwise shaped. In oneembodiment, front end 86 forms an obtuse angle with top side 80 and hasrounded edges. The shape of recess 88 generally matches the shape ofhead portion 40 as viewed from the side, such that head portion 40 maybe inserted into recess 88. As such, the width of slot 90 is slightlylarger than width W. In one embodiment, slot 90 extends longitudinallyalong the entire length L of countertop 28, in other embodiments, slot90 extends longitudinally only along a portion of length L.

Still referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, mounting bracket 26 isadapted to fit into recess 88 such that top surface 50, front bottomsurface 52, rear bottom surface 54, front surface 58 and rear surface60, contact countertop 28 inside surface 92. In some embodiments, notall top portion 40 defined surfaces will contact inside surface 92.

Referring now to FIG. 4, deck countertop system 20 may be mounted to afront side of deck railing system 22. In the depicted embodiment, a pairof front-post mounting brackets 26 are inserted into countertop 28. Eachfront-post mounting bracket 26 is connected to a post 32 using fasteners30. In one embodiment, fasteners 30 are screws, and a screwdriver orother tool is inserted into recess 78 and used to screw fasteners 30through holes or slots (not shown) in brackets 26, thereby securingmounting brackets 26 into posts 32. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.4, rear sides 68 of front-post mounting brackets 26 contact font sidesof posts 32, and mounting brackets 26 are flush with each end ofcountertop 28. In other embodiments, a length of countertop 28 may belonger than the distance between posts 32, and may also utilize morethan two mounting brackets 26.

In one embodiment, rear side 84 of countertop 28 extends rearwardly overposts 32 and hand rail 34. Front side 86 is located above the treads ofdeck 24. Because countertop 28 is supported by mounting brackets 26attached to posts 32, and not supported by a separate support structureresting on deck 24, the entire area of deck 24 remains open for use.

Fasteners 30 may also be similarly used to secure countertop 28 tomounting brackets 26 via holes 56. In other embodiments, fasteners 30are not used so that countertop 28 may be more easily removed frombrackets 26. In some embodiments, countertop 28 may include lip 94 thatprevents items placed on countertop 28 from easily falling off the rearside of the countertop.

Referring now to FIG. 5, deck railing countertop system 20 may be of arear-post mount type. In the rear-mount system as depicted in FIG. 5,rear-post mounting bracket 94 is substantially similar to previouslydescribed front-post mounting bracket 26, and countertop 96 issubstantially similar to countertop 28. In this embodiment, frontextension 42 is longer than rear extension 46, and slot 90 is locatedcloser to countertop 94 rear side 84. This causes countertop 96 toextend further over deck 24, as opposed to off the rear of deck 24.

As depicted, in this rear-mount embodiment, a front side 98 of mountingbracket 94 abuts post 32, and is secured to the post with fasteners 30similar to the manner previously described. Furthermore, rear-postmounting bracket 94 is positioned on post 32 such that an air gap iscreated between countertop 96 and post 32. This enables easy placementof countertop 96 onto mounting bracket 94.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, deck railing countertopsystem 100 generally includes an over-post mounting bracket 102,countertop 104, and fasteners 30. In this embodiment, mounting bracket102 is an L-shaped bracket and includes an over-post portion 106,support extension 108 with top surface 110, post holes 112, andextension holes 114. Over-post portion 106 is generally hollow, orrecessed, such that it fits over post 32. In one embodiment, theover-post recess is dimensioned to fit over a standard nominal 4″×4″post 32. In other embodiments, over-post portion 106 is adapted to fitover posts 32 of other dimensions and shapes. After being placed overpost 32, mounting bracket 102 may be secured to post 32 by insertingfasteners 30 through holes 112 and into post 32. In some embodiments,mounting bracket 102 may include more than one support extension 108,and may be rotatable about post 32.

Support portion 108 extends outwardly and away from over-post portion106, and in one embodiment forms a 90 degree angle with over-postportion 106. Top surface 110 of support portion 108 is substantiallyflat such that countertop 104 may be placed onto, and supported by, topsurface 110. Fasteners 30 may be inserted through holes 114 and intocountertop 104 in order to secure the countertop to support bracket 102.Predrilled arrays of recesses (not depicted) may be provided in thebottom surface 118 of countertop 104. In each array, the recesses arearranged in the same pattern and spacing as extension holes 114. Thearrays can be spaced apart at selected locations along the length ofcountertop 104 corresponding, for example, to various standard spacingsof posts 32. Upon installation of the system, the support brackets 102can be secured to the posts 32, and the countertop 104 placed over thesupport brackets with extension holes 114 of each support bracket 102registered with the recesses of one of the recess arrays. Fasteners canthen be driven through extension holes 114 and into the recesses tosecure the countertop to the support bracket. Advantageously, thesepre-defined recess arrays eliminate the need to drill countertop 104 inorder to accommodate fasteners.

In this embodiment, countertop 104 has a substantially flat, planarbottom surface 118 and top surface 116. As described previously withrespect to countertop 28, countertop 104 similarly may be made of wood,plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, stone, or other similarmaterials suitable for outdoor use. As depicted in FIG. 6, countertop104 may be substantially rectangular, but in other embodiments, may takeother shapes in accordance with the particular functional and aestheticfeatures of deck 24.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in another embodiment of deck railingcountertop system 100, the mounting bracket is an E-shaped mountingbracket 120 that connects to hand rail 34. In this embodiment, mountingbracket 120 includes support extension 108, vertical portion 122, tophand rail extension 124, bottom hand rail extension 126, recess 128,recess face 130, and holes 132.

In one embodiment, support extension 108, top hand rail extension 124and bottom hand rail extension 126 are connected, or integral with,vertical portion 122. These extensions may be positioned at asubstantially ninety-degree angle with vertical portion 122, dependingon the particular hand rail 34 and desired pitch of countertop 104. Asdepicted in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, support extension 108 is longerthan, or extends outwardly further than, either top hand rail extension124 or bottom hand rail extension 126 in order to adequately supportcountertop 104. Top hand rail extension 124 is located atop hand rail34, while bottom hand rail extension 126 is located beneath hand rail34. In this embodiment, the distance between extensions 124 and 126 aresuch that only a minimal air gap between bottom hand rail extension 126and hand rail 34 exists when extension 124 rests on hand rail 34.

Recess 128 and recess face 130 are located opposite extensions 108, 124,and 126, on the rear side of mounting bracket 120. Recess face 130 mayinclude one or more holes 132 located adjacent hand rail 34.

When assembled, mounting bracket 120 rests on, and is attached to handrail 34. Top hand rail extension 124 rests on the top side of hand rail34, and may be attached to hand rail 34 by inserting fasteners 30 (notshown in FIG. 7) through holes 134 and 132 and into hand rail 34. At thesame time, the two extensions 124 and 126, along with vertical portion122, essentially form a clamp over hand rail 34, substantiallypreventing bracket 120 from rotating about an axis along the length ofhand rail 34. Countertop 104 is attached to support extension 108,resting on surface 110, by way of fasteners 30 and holes 114.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in another embodiment, deck railingcountertop system 100 utilizes a snap-lock mounting bracket 140 thatincludes a top bracket 142 and a bottom bracket 144. Top bracket 142generally includes a top boss 146, top surface 148, left side 150, rightside 152, outer side 154, inner side 156, bottom side 157, one or moresnap-lock tabs 158, channel 160, holes 162 and holes 164.

Top boss 146 projects above top surface 148 and includes a boss surface147, and may also include multiple recesses 166. In one embodiment, acountertop 104 includes a recess or receptacle adapted to receive topboss 146, and top bracket 142 may be pressed into the recess ofcountertop 104. In another embodiment, countertop 104 does not include arecess, and is located on top of top boss 146, resting on boss surface147. Fasteners may be inserted through holes 164 and into countertop 104to secure the countertop to top bracket 142. Holes 162 in bottom side157 allow a screwdriver to be inserted into top bracket 142 tofacilitate the fastening process.

Left side 150 and right side 154 may include a snap-lock tab 158. Thebottom of each snap-lock tab 158 is connected to its respective side,and normally projects upwards and slightly away from top bracket 142 atits top side. Each snap-lock tab 158 is adapted to flex inward towardstop bracket 142 when pressure applied to an outside surface of the tab.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 9, channel 160 is formed from aU-shaped center structure 168 projecting upwards from bottom side 157 ofbottom bracket 142, providing structural support.

Referring again to FIG. 8, bottom bracket 144 includes left side 170,right side 172, inner side 174, and holes 184. Left side 170 and rightsided 172 include left-side opening 176 and right-side opening 178. Inone embodiment, inner side 174 is substantially square and includesholes 180. As depicted, left side 170 and right side 172 each form aright angle with inner side 174. In one embodiment, openings 176 and 178are rectangularly shaped and adapted to receive snap-lock tabs 158 oftop bracket 142. Bottom bracket 144 may be attached to any side of apost 32 using fasteners inserted through holes 180.

Referring now to FIG. 10, top bracket 142 fits into bottom bracket 144to form snap-lock mounting bracket 140. Sliding top bracket 142downwards into bottom bracket 144 initially causes snap-lock tabs 158 toflex inwards. When snap-lock tabs 158 fully align with openings 176 and178, the forces against tabs 158 are removed, and tabs 158 spring backto their at-rest position, thereby locking top bracket 142 into bottombracket 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, snap lock mounting brackets 140 maysupport a countertop 104 and be attached to either a support post 32 orintermediate posts 36. As depicted in FIG. 12, one snap-lock mountingbracket 140 is secured directly to a rear side of a support post 32.Also depicted is a second snap-lock mounting bracket 140 attached to apair of intermediate posts 36. In this embodiment, an intermediate postbracket 182 is secured to the intermediate posts 36, and the secondsnap-lock mounting bracket 140 is secured to the intermediate postbracket 182. In other embodiments, all snap-lock mounting brackets maybe attached directly to support posts 32, or may all be attached tointermediate posts 36.

In further embodiments, the invention may include component kitsgenerally including one or more brackets and a countertop supplied withinstructions for installing the brackets and 6 countertop on a new orexisting deck. The components may be pre-packaged or may be separatelydisplayed so as to enable a user to select the desired type and numberof components needed. The instructions may detail steps of installingthe brackets and countertop to form a deck railing countertop asdescribed above in exemplary embodiments. The instructions may beembodied in paper form or in other media such as computer readable media(CD, DVD, or internet delivered e-file), video, or audio.

In further embodiments, the invention may include methods of deliveringcomponents and installation instructions. For example, components may beprovided in pre-packaged form, and instructions as described above maybe provided along with the package of components. In another example,the instructions may be made available separately from the componentsand the user may be instructed as to how to obtain the instructions froma separate source such as from an internet website.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims.Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims forthe present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions ofSection 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unlessthe specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

1. A deck rail countertop system adapted to attach to a railing of adeck or balcony, the system comprising: a plurality of mountingbrackets, each mounting bracket comprising a deck railing interfaceportion and a countertop interface portion, the deck railing interfaceportion defining structure for receiving and coupling to a component ofthe railing; and an elongate countertop presenting a top surface, abottom surface and a length dimension, the countertop and countertopinterface portion of each mounting bracket having cooperating structurefor coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of thecountertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the lengthdimension of the countertop
 2. The deck rail countertop system of claim1, wherein the deck railing interface portion of each mounting bracketcomprises an over-post portion defining a cavity, the cavity dimensionedso as to receive an end of a post of the railing therein.
 3. The deckrail countertop system of claim 1, wherein the deck railing interfaceportion comprises a pair of horizontally oriented members, the membersvertically spaced apart so as to define a slot therebetween adapted toreceive a horizontal member of the railing.
 4. The deck rail countertopsystem of claim 1, wherein the deck railing interface portion comprisesa first body portion and the countertop interface portion comprises asecond body portion separate from the first body portion, the first bodyportion and second body portion each having cooperating structure forremovably operably coupling the first body portion and the second bodyportion.
 5. The deck rail countertop system of claim 4, wherein thecooperating structure for removably coupling the first body portion andthe second body portion comprises at least one projecting tab on one ofthe first body portion or the second body portion, and structure forreceiving the projecting tab on the other of the first body portion orthe second body portion.
 6. The deck rail countertop system of claim 5,wherein the structure for receiving the projecting tab comprises anaperture.
 7. The deck rail countertop system of claim 1, wherein thecooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottomsurface of the countertop includes an elongate slot defined in thebottom surface of the countertop, the elongate slot oriented along thelength dimension of the countertop, and a t-shaped portion of thecountertop interface portion adapted to be slidably received in theelongate slot.
 8. The deck rail countertop system of claim 1, whereinthe cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to thebottom surface of the countertop includes a plurality of recess arrays,each recess array comprising a plurality of recesses, the recess arraysdefined at spaced apart locations in the bottom surface of thecountertop, and each countertop interface portion includes a pluralityof apertures corresponding to the recesses of the recess array, theapertures of the mounting bracket disposed to be registerable with therecesses of each of the plurality of recess arrays to receive fastenersfor fastening the mounting bracket to the countertop.
 9. A deck systemcomprising: a deck; a railing operably coupled with the deck, therailing comprising a plurality of upright posts and a horizontal railoperably coupling the upright posts; and a deck rail countertop systemcomprising: a plurality of mounting brackets, each mounting bracketcomprising a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interfaceportion, the deck railing interface portion operably coupled to therailing; and an elongate countertop presenting a top surface, a bottomsurface and a length dimension, the countertop and countertop interfaceportion of each mounting bracket having cooperating structure forcoupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertopat a plurality of spaced apart locations along the length dimension ofthe countertop.
 10. The deck system of claim 9, wherein the deck railinginterface portion of each mounting bracket comprises an over-postportion defining a cavity, and wherein the cavity of each mountingbracket receives a separate one of the upright posts of the railing. 11.The deck system of claim 9, wherein the deck railing interface portionof each mounting bracket comprises a pair of horizontally orientedmembers, the members vertically spaced apart so as to define a slottherebetween, the horizontal rail of the railing being received in theslot of each mounting bracket.
 12. The deck system of claim 9, whereinthe deck railing interface portion comprises a first body portion andthe countertop interface portion comprises a second body portionseparate from the first body portion, the first body portion and secondbody portion each having cooperating structure for removably operablycoupling the first body portion and the second body portion.
 13. Thedeck system of claim 12, wherein the cooperating structure for removablycoupling the first body portion and the second body portion comprises atleast one projecting tab on one of the first body portion or the secondbody portion, and structure for receiving the projecting tab on theother of the first body portion or the second body portion.
 14. The decksystem of claim 13, wherein the structure for receiving the projectingtab comprises an aperture.
 15. The deck system of claim 9, wherein thecooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottomsurface of the countertop includes an elongate slot defined in thebottom surface of the countertop, the elongate slot oriented along thelength dimension of the countertop, and a t-shaped portion of thecountertop interface portion adapted to be slidably received in theelongate slot.
 16. The deck system of claim 9, wherein the cooperatingstructure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface ofthe countertop includes a plurality of recess arrays, each recess arraycomprising a plurality of recesses, the recess arrays defined at spacedapart locations in the bottom surface of the countertop, and eachcountertop interface portion includes a plurality of aperturescorresponding to the recesses of the recess array, the apertures of themounting bracket disposed to be registerable with the recesses of eachof the plurality of recess arrays to receive fasteners for fastening themounting bracket to the countertop.
 17. A method of providing a deckrail countertop system adapted to attach to a railing of a deck orbalcony, the method comprising: providing a plurality of mountingbrackets, each mounting bracket comprising a deck railing interfaceportion and a countertop interface portion, the deck railing interfaceportion defining structure for receiving and coupling to a component ofthe railing; providing an elongate countertop presenting a top surface,a bottom surface and a length dimension, the countertop and countertopinterface portion of each mounting bracket having cooperating structurefor coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of thecountertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the lengthdimension of the countertop; and providing instructions for attachingthe mounting brackets to the railing and for attaching the countertop tothe mounting brackets.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprisingpackaging the plurality of mounting brackets and the countertop togetherin a kit.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising packaging theinstructions with the kit.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising recording the instructions in a tangible medium.